1. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Landscape Architecture Franklin-Simpson County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) “Landowners voluntarily sell agricultural conservation easements to a government agency or private conservation organization….Easements give qualified public agencies and private organizations the right to prohibit land uses and activities that could interfere with present or future agricultural use.” 3 Landowner receives monetary compensation for development right value. Land can still be purchased and sold without the right to develop. Example: a 200-acre farm Appraised at fair market development value $2,500 per acre = $500,000 Estimated farmland restricted value $1,200 per acre = $240,000 Potential conservation easement value $1,300 per acre =$260,000 4 Use this Font for Headers Picture Caption Map Label Draft Agricultural Preservation: PDR/TDR Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) “…[Allows] landowners to transfer the right to develop one parcel of land to a different parcel of land.” 2 Identifies Sending (Preservation) and Receiving (Development) Areas –Sending Areas –Development rights from these areas are transferred to Receiving Areas. –Receiving Areas –Incorporate development rights from Sending Areas at a predetermined rate, allowing for more intense development within the Receiving Area. West PDR Sending Area East PDR Receiving Area References: 1 Brabec, E., and C. Smith. (2002). Agricultural land fragmentation: the spatial effects of three land protection strategies in the Eastern United States. Landscape and Urban Planning, 58, 255-68. 2 American Farmland Trust (2001, January). Farmland Information Center Fact Sheet: Transfer of Development Rights. Retrieved April 20, 2006, from http://www.farmlandinfo.org/documents/27746/FS_TDR_1-01.pdf 3 American Farmland Trust (2005, May). Farmland Information Center Fact Sheet: Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements. Retrieved April 20, 2006, from http://www.farmlandinfo.org/documents/27751/pace_2005.pdf 4 Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Division of Agricultural Education, Farm Safety & Farmland Preservation. http://www.kyagr.com/enviro_out/pace/value.htm Agricultural Preservation in Simpson County Stakeholders have expressed a desire to preserve agriculture throughout the Master Land Use planning process. The expressed goals of : (1) Enhancing diverse growth that preserves the small town and historical character, (2) Promoting and developing recreational activities, and (3) Maintaining visual quality along transportation corridors, are not contradictory to preserving agricultural lands. In fact, these goals reinforce the need for conserving agricultural activities in a sustainable manner. Two popular methods of accomplishing this are through Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) and Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) programs. Sending Area Bundle of Rights: Water Mineral Development Receiving Area Bundle of Rights: Water Mineral Development X2 Development Rights Sending Area Bundle of Rights Water Mineral Development Receiving Area Bundle of Rights Water Mineral Development x2 Urban Growth Boundary Stream Preservation Zone Sending Area Growth Zone Receiving Area $$$$$$ Development Rights Adapted from: Platt, R. H. (2004). Land Use and Society: Geography, Law, and Public Policy (Rev. ed.). Washington, DC: Island Press. Property Rights Every parcel of property has a bundle of rights associated with it that are transferred from the seller to the buyer. These rights vary but may include water rights; mineral rights; development rights; right to farm; right to sell, lease or bequeath; right to use and occupy, and a whole host of others. A landowner may own all or some of the rights to a parcel. A landowner that owns all the rights to a parcel of land is said to have fee simple title. Agricultural Preservation Toolbox The most successful agricultural preservation programs enlist a variety of tools to preserve agricultural lands. 1 The most common and successful tools implemented include Purchase of Development Rights and Transfer of Development Rights programs Some agricultural preservation programs also implement cluster developments as a compromise between preservation and development, although studies suggest that clustering ultimately fragments and promotes loss of the agricultural land base. 1